Boyd's approachability lands him in tough roles

Last year it was insurance reform, always a controversial topic. This year, the Bradenton Republican is squarely in the middle of an ethics and election law debate that is sure to be contentious at times.

That House leaders have trusted Boyd with some of their thorniest priorities is a sign of his growing clout. Entering the third year of his legislative career, Boyd is already one of Southwest Florida’s most influential lawmakers.

State Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton

Boyd has earned the respect of his peers by tackling difficult legislation with a smile. While he is staunchly loyal to House leadership and the Republican Party line, Boyd gets plaudits from Democrats for his inclusive disposition.

Democrats repeatedly praised Boyd during a recent committee meeting, to the point that one lawmaker called it a “love fest.”

It helped that Boyd is sponsoring a bill — supported by House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel — that reverses some of the voting law changes passed by Republicans in 2011. The changes — Democrats called them restrictions — drew widespread condemnation in the last election. Boyd’s bill restores the number of early voting days and expands early voting locations. It passed the House 118-1 Tuesday.

“I commit to you, you know who I am, we’ll continue to keep this dialogue open,” Boyd responded.

Boyd owns an insurance business in downtown Bradenton and has the friendly demeanor of a businessman striving to keep his customers happy. He knows it is impossible to please everyone in the legislative process but still works to make sure all voices are heard.

“I take that very seriously,” he said.

But maintaining the unusual level of bipartisan support Boyd has received so far will be difficult, if not impossible.

At least three major ethics and elections bills are up for debate this year, and some are controversial. All are priorities of either the House or Senate leadership, putting Boyd — who chairs the House Ethics & Elections Subcommittee — at the center of one of this session’s signature issues.

The most contentious proposal would abolish shadowy political fundraising vehicles known as Committees of Continuous Existence, while at the same time raising the contribution limit for political candidates from $500 to $10,000.

Boyd supports the legislation, which has already cleared his committee and another House panel on party line votes.

Democrats and some third-party groups including the League of Women Voters strongly oppose raising individual contribution limits, arguing it gives incumbents a big advantage and allows the wealthy and large corporations to have more influence on politics.

“We’re very concerned about any kind of radical increase in campaign finance limits,” said League of Women Voters of Florida President Deirdre Macnab.

“Large donors can contribute big amounts of money to a candidate’s campaign” right now through a CCE, Boyd said. “It just can’t be directly to a candidate. I think there’s a higher degree of transparency” with the proposed legislation.

Boyd is less enthusiastic about Senate legislation that seeks to hold public officials to higher ethical standards.

Some of the provisions — like making it easier to collect fines levied against public officials who improperly fill out financial disclosure forms — are good ideas, Boyd said. But he questioned a proposal to ban lawmakers from lobbying state agencies and the governor’s office for two years after they leave the Legislature. (Lawmakers already are banned for lobbying former colleagues in the Legislature for two years.)

The issue is a touchy subject in the House, where the last two speakers have gone on to become lobbyists.

“I don’t know that it’s a big problem,” said Boyd, who said the governor and his agency heads have enough independence to withstand any lobbying pressure. “There are checks and balances in the system as it stands.”

The ethics bill is a priority for Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. Gaetz made a point of pushing the legislation through the Senate on the first day of session Tuesday. He declared it Florida’s “most sweeping ethics reform bill in 38 years.” It passed the Senate unanimously.

There will be pressure on the House to pass something similar. Boyd’s committee is likely to be the first stop. As is his style, Boyd said he’s always open to discussion.

“There seems to be a growing distrust of political leaders and that shouldn’t be,” he said.

Political experience: Palmetto city councilman from 1989 to 1993. Elected to the Florida House in 2010, reelected in 2012. Currently chairman of the House Ethics & Elections Subcommittee.

KEY BILLS

HB 7013: Increases the number of early voting days, reversing changes made in 2011. Also expands the types of venues permitted for early voting.

HB 357: Intended to aid manufacturers by streamlining the permitting process for facility expansions. Allows companies to create a site plan that includes future expansions, and avoid obtaining permits for each expansion.

Last modified: March 6, 2013
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